SCORPIO'S GARAGE

Sunday, June 12, 2016

This Might be the Cleanest Jeep FC-150 You’ll Ever Find

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Posted on 10 June 2016 by Jeff Perez

Jeep loves going all out on its Moab Easter Safari concept cars. This year was no exception; aside from an insane 707-horsepower Wrangler, the plucky little FC-150 was the star of the show. Of course, it was artfully restored and given plenty of love before the annual, off-road adventure.

Sadly, you can’t buy a brand new FC-150 from Jeep anymore, or even any sort of pickup truck for that matter. No, the last time you were able to buy an FC-150 was way back when in 1965. Thankfully, at least one dealer recognized the heritage of this stunning little machine, and has listed a pristine example for sale on eBay.

This one was built in 1958, and only 11,595 miles read on the odometer. That’s insanely low for a car this old and this rare. The President Red and Plantation white exterior looks straight from the factory, as do the wheels and tires. Though, you have to imagine that most everything on this car has been restored considerably given the lifespan, even without the dealer outright saying it.

Four-wheel drive and a four-speed manual gearbox come standard; there’s even a spare tire in case things go wrong on the trail. The cherry on top being the stunningly clean, no-nonsense interior. It’s about as factory fresh one might get in a 60-year old Jeep.

With a current bid of $14,600 (per this writing), it’s not even that expensive. If you’re looking to snag a handsome piece of Jeep history, look no further than this. But hurry, there are only a few hours left to bid.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Mercedes is Bringing the Epic G550 4×4² to the U.S. in 2017

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Posted by Zach Doell

Until recently, Mercedes-Benz has kept its most knife-edged and hardcore off-road models from U.S. shores. Both the jaw-dropping G63 AMG 6×6 pickup truck, of which only 100 were built, and the rugged 4×4 it spawned—the G500 4×4² (4×4 squared).

Now, however, the latter of the two will make its on-sale debut on American shores for the 2017 model year, and it’s no less shouty than before. Meet the renamed 2017 Mercedes G550 4×4².

Though its moniker has changed, thankfully its technical bits haven’t. Under its tough ladder frame chassis you’ll still find the DNA that makes this special G-Class unique from all the rest, it’s high-riding portal axles. Move over, average person.

Billed as the most capable G-Class SUV ever, the G550 4×4²’s portal axles allow for vastly improved performance off-road, due to their relocation of the axle above the wheel centers, via a series of reduction gears located in the wheel hub.

Over the standard G550, the G550 4×4² offers drastically improved approach and departure angles (51.6 and 43.8 degrees, versus 30 degrees before at both ends), as well as a huge 17 inches of ground clearance and the ability to safely wade through 3.3 feet of water.

The engine charged with providing this colossal SUV with oomph is Mercedes’ big 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, which offers comparable performance to the standard model, 416 horsepower and a torquey 450 lb.-ft. of torque.

Beginning in 2017, its contemporaries in the G-Class lineup will include the standard Mercedes G550 (starts at $119,900), the 563 horsepower AMG G63 ($139,900), and the V12-powered AMG G65 ($217,900).

Originally developed solely for military use in 1972, the G-Class SUV has since become a favorite of both adventurers and luxury car buyers alike. Since its inception, Mercedes has hand built over 250,000 G-Class SUVs at its factory in Graz, Austria.

The price of the new-to-the-USA G550 4×4²? Mercedes says that’s to be determined, though it will likely sit atop the model range ($200,000-plus). Mercedes has said these brutal SUVs will arrive at US dealerships by early 2017.

Pictured: 2016 Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² (European model)

First Edition Jaguar F-Pace Shows Up on eBay, Only One of 200

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Posted by Nicole Wakelin

If you’ve been looking forward to Jaguar‘s new luxury SUV, then here’s your chance to get your hands on one…like, right now. The owner of this First Edition Jaguar F-Pace wasted no time in putting it up for auction on eBay.

It’s brand new, and has only 70 miles on the odometer. Basically, it was driven just far enough to get it home, and has since sat unused. Kind of a shame, really. There’s even a tag still attached to the front seat. Now it’s just waiting for you to take the plunge and make a bid so you can put it in your own driveway.

This First Edition comes fully loaded with everything you could want on your new SUV. There are 22-inch wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof, backup camera, Meridian sound system, and even an activity key that you wear on your wrist.

It also has a 380-horsepower engine that should add to the fun factor. Only 200 of these were built, so they’re not easy to come by in such small quantities. Place your bid and you could end up with this beauty all for your own.

You Can’t Help But Love This 1967 VW Beetle Pickup Truck Conversion

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Posted by Zach Doell

Custom cars tend to get a lot of flak. One person’s perception of what’s “cool” typically doesn’t align universally with the rest of the world’s, which explains oddities likes this. But when done well, they can truly shine, and this grin-inducing 1967 Volkswagen Beetle pickup truck appears to be one such car—er…truck.

Its conversion from sedan to pickup is said to have taken place in the 1980s, admittedly a period when vintage unmodified Beetles weren’t worth bags and bags of money, and it has survived quite well to see the light of day in 2016. Like it? The claimed two-owner VW recently turned up on Craigslist in the small town of Ellijay, Georgia.

VW Beetles, in effect, offer the perfect blank canvas for custom car modifications. They we’re originally cheap to buy, reliable, simple to modify, and robustly engineered. And over the decades the plucky Beetle has spawned countless custom cars—from sports cars like the Bianco S to off-roaders like the iconic Baja Beetles. The pickup truck conversion is a bit less common by comparison, but rather more functional.

As noted by the folks at Barnfinds, this conversion appears to be rather well-executed, featuring a cleanly chopped rear end, a pickup truck rear window, fiberglass bed, and the original engine, which is said to have been rebuilt. Of course, an engine in the back doesn’t leave too much room for depth in the bed floor, so perhaps this is more of a flat-bed conversion.

Inside, the carpet and dashboard seem nicely finished, as do the re-trimmed seats. The owner notes plenty of upkeep and maintenance items recently completed since 2013. Its asking price? Just $6,000.
Sure, some may call foul—the 1967 VW Beetle was an important transition year between styles, featuring new headlights, rear back-up lights, deck lid, bumper overriders, review mirrors, and 12-volt electrics, among other changes—but even collectors can’t argue that an aged Beetle still on the road is better than one left languishing in the bush.

What do you think, Internets?

Mazda 6 Redefines the Term ‘Swag Wagon’ Riding On Vossen Wheels

That’ s right, I just used the words ‘swag’ in a headline, conjuring up my inner 13-year old. But it’s hard not to describe this Mazda 6 wagon a such. The stance, the wheels, the presence, the colors—everything about this car screams ‘swag,’ for lack of a better word.

This lovely, lowered Mazda 6 hails from Japan (making it actually an Atenza), and it’s been lovingly tuned, giving it a more aggressive personality, and some handsome lines. The most noticeable new features being at ground level.

The Mazda is fitted with Vossen’s Flow Formed Series VFS-2 wheels; 20×10” on both the front and rear. Finished in an eye-catching gold, this car was one of the standouts at the Vossen owners meet in Japan this past January. And for good reason.
Though it is wonderfully pretty—even in stock form—sadly, you can’t buy a Mazda 6 wagon in America. It’s a shame, I’m sure there would be some amazing aftermarket specials for a car like that here in the U.S. For now, we have things like this to keep our wagon fetish satisfied.

Friday, June 10, 2016

$55,000 Jannarelly Design-1 Roadster Shows Up in the Sheet Metal

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Posted by Nicole Wakelin

The Jannarelly Desgin-1 roadster ws announced back in December as a digital rendering. Now it’s finally made its world debut. The concept is the brainchild of Anthony Jannarelly, the same man behind the W Motors Lykan Hypersport and Fenyr SuperSport. His latest creation is no less striking.

The car was inspired by 1960s roadsters like the Shelby Cobra and Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. It has a modest price tag of around $55,000. The slick design and the price attracted plenty of attention; roughly 80 people contacted them, and 20 have already placed their orders.

The Jannarelly Design-1 made its debut recently in Dubai at two separate events. It first appeared at Tomini Classics on May 25, at a private event. Two days later, it was followed by a public debut at Le Trésor classic car café, so everyone in the area could get a good look.

It’s a truly stunning vehicle that looks like it should cost a lot more than it actually does. They’ve already figured out European distribution through Marcassus Sport who also handles Lotus. Negotiations are in progress for North America as well, so if we’re just a little bit patient, we’ll get our chance, too.

Dodge Challenger Hellcat Gets Dirty With a ‘Rustcat’ Wrap

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Posted by Nicole Wakelin

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know exactly what the Dodge Challenger Hellcat is capable of. This 707-horsepower beast is an object of lust for any auto enthusiast. But when is the look of a standard Hellcat not enough? One company has taken the standard, gloss finish of the Challenger Hellcat, and given it a new look they’re calling ‘Rustcat.”

The Rustcat is the work of Skepple and 5150 wraps. The two have transformed this Dodge Challenger into a rusted hunk of junk. The wrap covers the entire car, with a brown and black rust-like design that makes it look like it came off the set of the next Mad Max movie.

There’s only the slightest bit of color to accent this design; bright blue brake calipers peak out from under bronzed wheels, and a snarling Hellcat graces the rear quarter panels. It might be rusted, but the Rustcat is a thing of beauty.

This isn’t the first time Skepple has taken a new car and made it look better with a wrap that roughs it up. They’ve done Camaros, Porsches, and everything in between (pictured above). There’s even a modern Dodge Charger with an old-school General Lee wrap that looks like it’s been in a few demolition derbies.

‘Rustcat,’ though, might be the coolest one so far.